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The BEng (Hons) Engineering Design & Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship combines university study with structured workplace learning, enabling apprentices to earn while they learn.
Developed in collaboration with industry, West College Scotland (WCS) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS), the enhanced programme reflects the evolving needs of the engineering sector through a blend of engineering design, advanced manufacturing, electrical engineering, automation, digital engineering and sustainable engineering.
Delivered through an innovative block-release model, apprentices benefit from on-campus teaching, online learning support and work-based learning activities that enable immediate application of knowledge within the workplace.
Through the UWS and WCS partnership, apprentices have access to specialist facilities, expertise and industry-relevant learning designed to support both professional development and employer needs.
Flexible block delivery – designed to minimise disruption to employers through teaching blocks combined with online support and workplace learning.
The benefits of a Graduate Apprenticeship are significant but don’t take our word for it. Hear from our students and graduates to discover the power of apprentices at UWS.
UWS is a leading institution for widening participation in higher education and has been named The Times and The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year for Social Inclusion 2026.
We’re incredibly proud to be named as the leading university in Scotland for social inclusion through the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. This accolade recognises our deep commitment to supporting our diverse student population and the impact our graduates make in the communities they serve."
Professor James Miller, Principal of University of the West of Scotland
Undertaking a GA shows commitment to working at a high professional level. I feel this is an effective platform for furthering your career, especially within your own company."
Andrew Begg, Engineering Design & Manufacture Graduate, Technical Services Engineer at Newsprinters
As Programme Leader, I am proud to lead the UWS BEng (Hons) Engineering Design & Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship, a dynamic programme designed for industry employees to enhance their engineering, digital, and management skills. With expert academics, dedicated mentors, well-equipped labs, and professional support services, we ensure apprentices gain the cutting-edge skills needed for the modern engineering industry."
Muhammad Ayat, BEng (Hons) Engineering Design & Manufacture Programme Leader
To apply for a GA, you must be resident in Scotland before you start. The premises you work in must also be located in Scotland. As part of your application, you will have to show that you have the right to live and work in Scotland.
GAs are open to existing employees and new recruits.
All applicants are considered on an individual basis. Do not worry if your qualifications are not listed here. We take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience.
Experienced applicants can apply for admission based on Accreditation of Prior Learning / Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning in accordance with the University’s RPL guidelines. Contact us for more information.
All applicants should be in employment and be supported by their employer for the duration of their studies.
For Advanced Entry apprentices are required to have completed a relevant MA or have a minimum of 1 year of sector specific work experience at a level equivalent to the point of entry.
Applicants may also be considered with other academic, vocational or professional qualifications deemed to be equivalent.
Applicants can apply for admission based on Accreditation of Prior Learning / Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning in accordance with the University’s RPL guidelines.
This GA in Engineering Design & Manufacture is a Work-based Learning course which has been developed in partnership with Industry, the education sector and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). This ensures that graduate learning is aligned to Industry needs.
This course fully embraces the principles of Work-Based Learning. It is delivered over four years and you will undertake 120 credits per year (three trimesters per year). Work-based learning and work-based assessment will form the backbone of the course.
Collaborative Delivery
This programme is delivered through a strategic partnership between the University of the West of Scotland and West College Scotland (WCS).
The collaboration combines UWS academic leadership with WCS specialist expertise in electrical engineering, automation and digital technologies, providing apprentices with access to enhanced facilities and industry-relevant learning experiences.
The programme is delivered through blended learning with the majority of the learning delivered through Work-based Learning. The programme is delivered through a flexible block-delivery model that combines on-campus teaching blocks, online learning activities and workplace-based learning. Apprentices typically attend two teaching blocks per module, supported by scheduled online touchpoint sessions and structured work-based learning activities throughout the trimester.
Assessment is through a number of methods including:
Case Studies
Coursework
Dissertation
Laboratory write-ups
Multiple choice exams
Online discussion boards
Oral presentations
Posters
Reports
Written examinations
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
Estimated cost per year of study.
For individuals and businesses who wish to find out more about the BEng (Hons) Engineering Design & Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship, please contact our dedicated team at:
Applicants must meet all of the following:
In addition, you must have employer support to:
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria above, please explore our extensive range of career-focused undergraduate degrees and continuing professional development opportunities.
Please complete the form below and submit as a supporting document as part of your application.
EVIDENCE OF EMPLOYER SUPPORT
We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.